A raging fire, on Friday evening, engulfed the famous Akim Timber Market in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area, Cross River State, barely six days after a gas explosion in the same area injured about 60 persons.
The fire, which started around 8:45pm near the Akim Police Area Command, destroyed shops and goods as residents and shop owners scrambled to salvage belongings. Despite frantic calls, neither State nor te Federal fire services intervened on time.
Reports quoting a local resident, Mrs. Enang Philomena, lamented the lack of response.
“The fire service in Cross River is a big joke. We have been calling since the fire started, but there has been no response. If they cannot come in the daytime, how can they respond at night?” she asked.